Walkers Welcome

The Shropshire Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty is recognised as one of Britain’s finest landscapes. With hundreds of miles of public footpaths, the countryside around Bishop’s Castle is a walker’s dream. Our Festival offers nine days of guided walks – and some tough unguided challenge walking. With the Shropshire Way, Offa’s Dyke and the Kerry Ridgeway all at hand and featuring in our programme, there’s a lot of choice from wide, open hilltops to narrow, winding valleys, and fantastic views.

Bishop’s Castle is a friendly and welcoming market town with two breweries, six pubs, interesting independent shops and a well-established programme of festivals, music and arts.

Bishop’s Castle is set right in the heart of the South Shropshire Hills, designated “Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty” (AONB). Right from the hotel doorsteps you can enjoy some of the best walking country in England. Explore the Stiperstones, the Bishops Castle Ring, The Long Mynd, Cardingmill Valley, the Kerry Ridgeway, Offa’s Dyke and The Shropshire Way, to mention but a few of our local walks.

Under a mile away is the English – Welsh Border, offering easy access to Mid Wales and the Brecon Beacons, Snowdonia National Park and Powys. You could not be better placed to find some of the most remote and unspoilt walking countryside in England & Wales. Bishop’s Castle itself has the prestigious designation as a walkers welcome town, meaning that most businesses are walker friendly with facilities to meet even the most intrepid & demanding walker’s needs. There are countless walks available from both the hotel reception and the Tourist Information centre. The Castle Hotel itself has a “Walkers Friendly” award and we pride ourselves in being the best place for walkers to stay in Shropshire. There is an annual Festival to celebrate Walking in Bishops Castle called the “Bishops Castle Walking Festival”. This is a great way to explore the local countryside with various guided walks and walking information.

Walker Friendly Information

Overnight clothes drying facility available. External hose and brushes to clean boots at front right hand side of the hotel and boot brushes available at rear entry of hotel. (Ask a member of staff for details.) Packed lunch & early breakfast available if ordered the night before. Country side code available from behind reception. Please ask a member of staff to recommended any other Walker friendly/Walkers are Welcome accommodation for the next leg of your journey along well known long distance walking routes in the area. All up to date weather information is printed each morning on the “breakfast” sheets which are provided every morning, and long distance weather forecast can be found at www.ukweather.com A large number of walking routes, guided walks, OS maps, bus timetables, taxi numbers, walking leaflets and other useful information is provided at the information point in front of reception. The nearest outdoor clothing shop is located 1200m at the bottom of the high street on the right hand side. Gwyther & Son; 33 Church Street, Bishops Castle, Shropshire, SY9 5AD. Tel:01588 638 273 The nearest all night chemist is located at Tesco in Welshpool. The nearest tourist information point is based at Bishops Castle Town Hall www.bishopscastletownhall.co.uk on Bishops Castle High Street about 50m down the hill on the right hand side. Telephone: 01588 630023. Open 10am – 4pm, Monday to Saturday. The nearest bank and ATM cash machine is 100m down the main high street on the left hand side at HSBC Bank, and the tourist information office is located opposite the bank. The nearest police station is located on Union Street in Bishops Castle, for non emergencies call 101.

Discover...

The Bedrooms

We have twelve lovely bedrooms, all en-suite, TV, pillows, sheets, all mod cons you see. And all suffused with that "away from it all" feeling. Some bedrooms have lovely views of the town and the surrounding hills, and others look out over the fabulous hotel gardens.

The Gardens

The gardens really are a feature in their own right. South facing, you gaze over the top of the little town to the big hills beyond, serenaded by the tinkling waterfall in the adjoining lily ponds. Have lunch in style on the extensive decking area with seating for over 50 guests, shaded by vine-covered arbours.

Things To Do

With various activities to do close by you will never be short of things to do during your stay ion Shropshire at The Castle Hotel. Take a lazy stroll around the ancient cobbled streets of Bishops Castle or for the more energetic activities try some walking or cycling around the surrounding hills.

Bishops Castle

Bishops Castle is a small and ancient market town encircled by the South Shropshire Hills, and is only a few miles from the Welsh Border. It is approximately equidistant from Shrewsbury and Ludlow It therefore makes the perfect place to start your exploration of this beautiful corner of Britain.

Shropshire

Shropshire may be one of the countries quietest counties but don’t be deceived- there´s still plenty to see and do. Shropshire has over 90 places to visit – historic houses and castles with beautiful gardens, the famous Ironbridge Gorge, and several National Trust properties nearby, including Powis Castle and Attingham Hall.

We stayed with a group of friends to take part in the Bishops Castle Challenge Walk.
Everything about the hotel was great. Rooms, food, very friendly and helpful staff .
A good location for exploring the beautiful countryside of Shropshire.
Definitely a hotel to come back to.
Stayed August 2015, travelled as a couple

We stayed at The Castle Hotel for one night. Our room was fantastic with a beautiful view down to the village. The staff are all very friendly and helpful. Fabulous garden with a great panoramic view of the village. Our evening meal with lovely as well as breakfast. We will be back for longer next time.
Stayed June 2015, travelled as a couple